Spaulding Turnpike crash attributed to medical condition

By Samantha Allen

sallen@fosters.com

fosters.com

By Samantha Allen

sallen@fosters.com

Posted Oct. 10, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By Samantha Allen

sallen@fosters.com

Posted Oct. 10, 2012 at 3:15 AM

MILTON — On Monday, officials responded to reports of a single-vehicle accident on the Spaulding Turnpike, where a driver reportedly swerved from the northbound lane into the southbound and struck a highway sign. The driver was transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure.New Hampshire State Police Trooper Chris Prenaveau of Troop A said his department, along with the Milton police and fire departments, responded to an area of the highway, approximately halfway between exits 17 and 18 at about 11 a.m. in Milton. Officials found a gold 2004 Chevrolet Classic sedan had sustained damage after crossing into the other side of the traffic lanes. The vehicle was operated by Barry Knowles, 50, of Las Vegas, who was in the area visiting.Trooper Vinton Wallace, also of Troop A, said it appeared Knowles crashed due to a pre-existing medical condition, and there was no evidence of alcohol or drug use. Charges will not be brought forward, and Knowles was transported to Frisbie Memorial Hospital for examination, as a precaution.Wallace added Knowles may have fallen asleep prior to the crash and was found unconscious when police arrived on scene.Prenaveau said Knowles, the single occupant of the vehicle, was traveling north up the four-lane highway, and then crossed the center line. He reportedly traveled approximately one-quarter of a mile through grass near the shoulder of southbound lane, still continuing to head north.Noticeable track lines in the grass indicated Knowles swerved slightly into the southbound lane to avoid a highway sign, which he eventually struck before swerving again further back onto the grass. The driver then traveled to the right, and came to rest in the shoulder of the northbound lane.Knowles did not hit any other cars, Prenaveau adding he was fortunate there wasn’t any oncoming traffic his vehicle could have collided into.“He was lucky it happened at this time of day,” he said.The Chevrolet was towed from the scene.